Greycroft Partners' Growth Fund Closes at $200 Million to Invest in Leading Expansion-Stage Internet and Mobile Companies

Based in NY and LA, Greycroft will continue to focus on best of breed companies and talented teams in every geography.

June 19, 2014 09:15 ET | Source:Greycroft Partners

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Greycroft Partners, a leading venture capital firm that specializes in Internet and mobile companies, announced today the closing of its latest fund, Greycroft Growth. Greycroft Growth was substantially oversubscribed, but held to the original capped amount of $200 million.

"Greycroft Growth is part of a natural evolution for the firm to service our portfolio companies that have broken through and demonstrated a strong growth trajectory," said Ian Sigalow, Partner and Co-Founder of Greycroft Partners. "The new fund also gives us the opportunity to invest in companies that we had followed previously, but could not invest in because of their larger size and later stage."

Strategically placed in New York and Los Angeles, Greycroft has a strong network in the two largest cities in the United States. This benefits Greycroft companies by providing them privileged access to the largest media companies, retailers, brands, agencies, and financial institutions in the world.

Greycroft looks for cutting-edge innovation on a global basis, and approximately 90% of Greycroft's companies are headquartered outside of Silicon Valley. In addition to its core markets, the firm has recently invested in companies based in Beijing, Reykjavik, Indianapolis, London, Minneapolis, Tokyo and Austin. Greycroft currently has 83 active portfolio companies that are headquartered in 36 cities and nine countries, employing over 5,000 people worldwide.

Since its founding in 2006, Greycroft has had numerous successes:

Greycroft I ($75 million, 2006 vintage fund) has returned more than 150% of committed capital to Limited Partners. According to the Cambridge Associates Index, it is the top performing venture fund of its vintage year. Notable exits include:

Buddy Media, based in New York, which sold to Salesforce for $800 million in 2012

M5 Networks, based in New York, which sold to Shoretel for $160 million in 2012

Huffington Post, based in New York and Los Angeles, which sold to AOL for $315 million in 2011

Greycroft II ($131 million, 2010 vintage fund) is also one of the top performing funds of its vintage year, according to the Cambridge Associates Index. Notable exits include:

Maker Studios, based in Los Angeles, which sold to Disney for up to $950 million

Klout, based in San Francisco, which sold to Lithium for $200 million in 2014

Braintree, based in Chicago, which sold to PayPal for $800 million in 2013

AwesomenessTV, based in Los Angeles, which sold to Dreamworks for up to $150 million

Greycroft III ($175 million, 2013 vintage fund) is early but has made 12 core investments, three of which have already received follow on rounds at substantially higher valuations.

"We observed a trend when we started Greycroft in 2006 that innovation was no longer limited to a select few markets," remarked Dana Settle, Co-Founder and Partner of Greycroft Partners. "Many of our biggest successes to date have been in markets outside of Silicon Valley and our first investment from Greycroft Growth is in AppAnnie which is based in Beijing."

"We also anticipate hiring new investment professionals, specifically dedicated to the growth fund," said Alan Patricof, Partner and Co-Founder of Greycroft Partners. "We are expanding the team to continue providing our companies with business development and recruiting across all stages of investment and in all markets around the world."

About Greycroft:

Greycroft Partners is a leading venture capital firm focused on investments in the Internet and mobile markets. With offices in the two media capitals of the world - New York and Los Angeles – Greycroft is uniquely positioned to serve entrepreneurs who have chosen us as their partners. Greycroft leverages an extensive network of media and technology industry connections to help entrepreneurs gain visibility, build strategic relationships, successfully bring their products to market, and build successful businesses. Greycroft manages $600 million and has made over 100 investments since inception, including leading companies such as AppAnnie, Baublebar, Braintree, Buddy Media, Collective, Extreme Reach, Huffington Post, JW Player, Klout, Maker Studios, Plain Vanilla, Pulse, TheRealReal, Trunk Club, and WideOrbit. For more information please visit the Greycroft Partners website at http://www.greycroft.com.

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